Welcome to our Lakers Season Preview Series! For the next several weeks, we’ll be writing columns every weekday, breaking down the biggest questions we have about every player the Lakers added this offseason. Today, we start off with a look at both Chris Manon and Christian Koloko.
Throughout the years, the Lakers have generally made good use of their two-way contracts, from Jordan Goodwin to Alex Caruso. Last season, roster imbalance from the jump forced the Lakers to rely upon their two-way players
for minutes at center throughout the season.
This year, with a roster far more balanced and, in theory, the team’s two-way players not needing to be called upon as much, it’ll be interesting to see where they fit into the equation.
The team’s two presently signed players are at different points of their basketball careers. Koloko finally returned to the court last season and saw sporadic time throughout the season. He returns this season following a strong Summer League likely with ideas of even more playing time, perhaps with more regularity.
On the note of strong Summer Leagues, fresh face Chris Mañon impressed with the Warriors, leading to the Lakers signing him to a deal. Will he be able to parlay his Summer League success into real minutes with the Lakers this season?
What are their best-case scenarios?
Naturally, best-case scenarios for two-way players are generally going to involve minutes with the parent team and an eventual standard contract.
For Koloko to make that jump, it would involve him showing real progression this season. While he showed plenty of potential last season, he was still a raw prospect and there were also plenty of moments where he struggled.
Eliminating those moments and becoming someone who can be readily relied upon would be a huge step for Koloko. That would likely involve improvements as a shot blocker, rebounder and pick and roll lob threat. It would be more certainty and confidence for him as a player, knowing what positions to be in and what to do in those positions.
Manon, meanwhile, is going to have a tougher path to playing time. As a point guard with a spotty jumper, he’s going to have to really impress in other areas of the game, as well as show legitimate signs of improvement with his 3-point shot.
There could be a route for him if all that pans out. The Lakers don’t have a backup point guard with the skillset Manon does as a playmaker. How much the team needs that could be up for debate with both Luka Dončić and LeBron James on the roster, but it could be a way for Manon to get on the floor.
What are their worst-case scenarios?
Again, similarly, worst-case scenarios for two-way players end in losing their two-way deals. The Lakers haven’t been shy about waiving two-way players if their roster needs dictate it or if there’s a better option available as a two-way signing. It puts pressure on the current two-way players to continue producing or developing, too.
If Koloko still has those moments where he looks raw and hasn’t progressed to a point where he could be relied upon, how much more grace would the Lakers be willing to wait still? He’s still just 25 years old, but is there a younger, more intriguing prospect the team might be willing to sign, like Eric Dixon, who was initially reported to have signed a two-way deal before a foot injury sidelined him this summer.
With Manon, if his jumper doesn’t take off and there isn’t quite enough value in everything else he does, how long will the team keep an older rookie as a two-way player?
What is the most likely outcome?
For Koloko, the most likely outcome feels something not too dissimilar to last season. The Lakers have multiple centers on the roster, but there’s still a path to him get spot minutes as the third center. Without having to compete with Trey Jemison for minutes this year, those are his to grab hold of and, hopefully, develop from.
If he looks more like an NBA center and less like a prospect, then the Lakers might have a player that could be worth keeping around moving forward.
Manon’s season, though, likely involves fewer NBA minutes. He is blocked by multiple players on the roster, so he’s really going to have to shine in the preseason and G League to earn NBA minute. Instead, it’s easier to see him being a valuable player on South Bay, helping him and others develop.
